It is normal to lose between 50 and a 100 hairs daily, notes MayoClinic.com, but exceeding this amount can lead to premature hair loss, the cause of which can be genetics or external factors. Alopecia areata, the loss of hair in patches, is one of the more noticeable and disturbing of such conditions. There are a variety of natural treatment options for alopecia areata, although the empirical evidence for their effectiveness is limited.
Alopecia Areata
The patches, or bald spots, from alopecia areata can happen anywhere on the body, but are more common -- or perhaps just more noticeable -- on the scalp. It is classified by MayoClinic.com as an autoimmune disease, meaning the body attacks its own cells. Alopecia is believed to be inherited, but often needs an environmental factor like stress or illness to trigger it. The hair will usually grow back once the trigger is removed.
Topical
The GrannyMed website suggests that the anti-inflammatory and healing effects of aloe vera on the skin may also help with the regrowth of hair, although this is speculative and has not been clinically proven.
Ray Sahelian, M.D. of Raysahelian.com cites a study by the Baghdad Teaching Hospital which showed that applying onion juice to the scalp twice daily for several weeks significantly increased hair re-growth compared to simply washing with tap water.
Hypnosis
Because one of the key causes of alopecia areata is thought to be stress, notes MayoClinic.com, much of the treatment emphasis is put on relaxation techniques, one such being hypnosis. Ray Sahelian, M.D. cites a study which showed that hair loss sufferers receiving a hypnotherapy session once every three weeks saw significant hair regrowth. The sessions focused the patients on imagining the sun's warmth on their scalp and its healing effects.
Relaxation
Another study cited by Ray Sahelian, M.D. involved a 16-year-old boy suffering from alopecia areata. He was treated via a series of three treatment techniques: monetary reward, relaxation procedures and hair massage. Results were positive over a seven-month period. For the first three months hair loss stopped, and for the final four months regrowth was evident.
Medical
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation recommends the use of cortisone injections as the most common treatments to fight against the disease. These injections are applied at the sites of hair loss and must be repeated monthly. Cortisone can also be taken orally via pills or topically via creams. Another alternative is to use topical Minoxidil foam, which needs to be applied twice daily; combine this treatment with cortisone cream from more effective results.
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